Bnei Akiva worker Rafi Saltman, 22, was inspired to compete by the memory of his former King Solomon High School teacher Helene Conway, who died of cancer in 2006.

Mr Saltman has raised more than £3,000 for Israeli cancer charity Zichron Menachem, and additionally for Nathan Ellul, a severely disabled five-year-old child who requires 24 hour care and adaptations to his family house.

"I am by no means a natural athlete and have not run any marathons before," the Wanstead and Woodford Synagogue member said.

Mr Saltman finished the marathon in four hours 56 minutes having "suffered a great deal of pain during the race".